HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/31/1977PLANNING COMMISSION
Town of Los Altos Hills
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED MEETING
Wednesday, August 31, 1977
Reel 62, Side 2, Tr. 1, 014 to End, Reel 63, Side 2, Tr. 1, 001 to 317
Chairman Stewart called the adjourned meeting of the Planning Commission to order
in the Council Chambers of Town Hall at 7:45 P.M..
ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Present: Commissioners Stewart, Perkins, Lachenbruch, Van Tamelen, and Dochnahl
Absent: Commissioners Carico and Kuranoff
Also Present: Town Engineer Alexander Russell, Town Planner/Engineer John Markl,
Secretary Ethel Hopkins
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. LANDS OF COSTELLO, Altamont and Mood Road, John W. Rile , En i2eer File #TM 2067-77,
Requestor Reconrnen an on of Approva OT
entat ve ap continue rom August
`, Town Planner/Engineer Markl discussed the subject application, demonstrating access
to the property from both Moody and Altamont Roads by means of a transparency map.
Several other transparency maps showed the relationship between adjoining subdivisions
of Lands of Bledsoe and Lands of Dickinsonand the present subdivision, Lands of
Costello. For further information, Mr. Markl referred Commissioners to his staff
report dated August 18, 1977.
Lengthy discussions occurred among Commissioners and Staff on three issues concerning
the subdivicinn-
1. Whether or not access to Lot 3 through Lot 2 should be through a panhandle access
or an easement was to be the option of the subdivider. In any event, the access
should be deducted from the total acreages of the lots. The relative merits of
a panhandle access were also discussed. (Amended at PC Meeting of Sept. 14)
2. Why slope density forms had not been completed, whether or not it was
possible or desirable to compute slope density forms to the hundredth
of the acre when the ordinances required that slope density forms be
be computed to the tenth of an acre, and whether it was possible to
complete slope density forms without a field survey of the Lands of
Costello.
3. Commissioner Stewart raised the issue of whether the Lands of Costello
map could properly be considered when a parcel map that would transfer
acreage from the Lands of Bledsoe had not yet been completed with the
Town. He asked for a ruling from the Town Attorney on this matter.
The hearing was opened to the public, and the following persons spoke on the issues
raised:
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - August 31, 1977
Page two
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
1. LANDS OF COSTELLO, File #TM 2067-77: (continued)
John Riley, En ineer for the Applicant, discussed the history of the subdivision,
no T ilal: sous and mransi"eFs ad occurred in the past without benefit of an
accurate field survey of the property. He noted that an exact determination of the
boundariesandarea of the property still could not be computed until an accurate
field survey took place, and that what he had provided the Commissioners was gained
from survey records available. He questioned whether the slope density form require-
ment of computing acreage to the hundredth of an acre was in conformance with
Ordinance No. 232 requirements. He noted further that if the subdivision did not
comply with acreage requirements, additional land could be transferred from Bledsoe lands.
Mr. Russell asked, in response to Mr. Riley's statement, if it was not unrealistic
to require such refined calculations for the Tentative Map.
Beverl Brockwa Developer, noted that a field survey would provide accurate computation
on an area. a urged the Commission to discuss the subdivision at hand rather than
the technicalities of the subdivision ordinance.
Commissioner Stewart closed the public hearing, and stated that it was his feeling
that the map should be returned to the subdivider with the request for correct
slope density calculations. He noted that one of the problems he found with slope
t density requirements was the inconsistency of the Town in applying these regulations.
`r For example, he stated that if a subdivider comes to the Town with 4.95 acres, he
rounds the acreage down to four lots, but if the acreage is 5.01 acres for a total
of five lots, it is always questioned by the Town. He felt that the Town accepted
the sacrifice of a larger than needed area to larger lots, but questioned when the
subdivision complied with minimum lot acreage requirements. He also felt that the
Commission should make a determination on the issue of the private driveways for the
subdivision.
after Commissioner Stewart's remarks: (page 2 fourth paragraph)
Commissioner Gachenbruch responded that he felt that there was no such ambiguity
in the application of the slope density ordinance. The ordinance specifies a
minimum condition on the area, and the applicant is obliged to demonstrate that
rs minimum at least is complied with. The Costello Subdivision has been con-
trived to just meet this minimum area and no more. Under such a circumstance,
we should be certain that it is no less. (Amended by PC at Meeting of Sept. 14)
from Padre Court.
It was moved by Commissioner Perkins and passed by consensus: that access to Lots 4
and 5 be restricted to Moody Road as shown on the Tentative Map, and that the Lot 5
driveway should remain as shown.
Condition 1: The question was asked on wh t tr ctu 1 o be permitted in the
area designated as open spaces and�i1 a ee erm e that no structures
for human habitation would be allowed there, but that barns or stables
could be constructed there.
♦ Commissioner Stewart stated that the subdivider should show on Lot 1
`r where the residence and pool could be constructed.
Condition 3: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and passed by consensus
that the statement be added to Condition 3 that the existence
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - August 31, 1977
t Page three
` PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
1. LANDS OF COSTELLO, File #TM 2067-77: (continued)
of the fault zone shall not be considered as a valid reason for
a variance request on Lot 1. This statement shall also be placed
on the face of the Final Map.
Condition 8: Mr. Markl noted that the installation of a fire hydrant is a require-
ment for both Lands of Costelloand Lands of Dickinson, and it was a
matter to be worked out between the applicants as to who would pay
for the installation. Mr. Russell noted that the Dickinson sub-
division could not go through until Padre Court is dedicated.
Condition 14: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and passed by consensus that
Condition 14 should be amended with the statement added that: Paths
shall be separate from the pavement by several feet where practicable.
On Commissioner Perkins' question concerning drainage, Mr. Markl stated that the
development of this subdivision would be such that the drainage swale could continue
in its natural course.
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins, seconded
by Commissioner Stewart, and passed unanimously that the Lands of Costello, File
t #TM 2067-77, be continued to the meeting of September 14, and that the items
`r' discussed be addressed by the engineer and Staff at the next meeting. Absent
Commissioners Kuranoff and Carico were to be informed to bring up any questions
they had, and were to be informed on what had occurred at the August 31 meeting.
Slope density and lot size would again be discussed at the September 14 meeting.
Both Mr�Rile� and Developer Brockway stated that they agreed that Lands of Costello
could Tecontinued.
At 104a recess was called. The meeting resumed at 10:55.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Amendment to the General Plan of the Town of Los Altos Hills to include a
Genic Highways Element Continuedfrom the meeting of June 21117.
Irma Goldsmith, 27330 Elena Road (former Chairwoman of the Traffic and Public Safety
ommi ttee , reca e Ere ee i ngs o t e ra r c an u i c a ety ommi ttee on t o
su 0-6`ecienic Highways Element when it was considered in 1974. She stated that the
Committee did not want scenic roads like those in Monterey and San Francisco, where
a great many people not residing in the community would be travelling through it on
scenic roads. She stated that she felt certain roads could be designated as scenic
roads, namely: Interstate 280, Page Mill Road, Fremont Road, Moody Road.
Mr. Russell suggested that Magdalena and E1 Monte Roads be added to the list named
by Mrs. Goldsmith.
Thereafter a short discussion followed with Commissioner Perkins noting that while
originally the items in the General Plan were looked upon as goals for the Town, now
things in the General Plan were required to be much more specific. Chairman Stewart
opened the hearing to the public.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - August 31, 1977
Page four
OLD BUSINESS: (continued)
1. Scenic Highways Element of the General Plan: (continued)
Bets Fiksdal, Pathwa Conon1jtee Chairwoman referred to the Santa Clara County
pu ica ion on cenrc oa s an ig ways passed by the County in 1974. She spoke
for a strong statement by the Town on what its scenic roads should look like rather
than a mere compliance with State mandates that the Town file a Scenic Highways
Element with them. She recommended editing and tightening of the proposal before
the Commission, noting that Items 1 and 4 of the statement were almost identical.
She said that a strong statement on pathway development should be included in this
Scenic Highways Element, and suggested Artemis Ginston and Barbara Eastman asN z..a��
knowledgeable ago helpful on the,,matter of•� a�.�w f`�'��/"
GLC% i �1 QgevlCOk/Ge'[.<avr'^` '�✓R i/leu., .SfP u<c�K� GCbV.ct i'=9/195
Geor a Bo d resident, asked why the matter of scenic highways wa being considered
now, laving t w1 ui , that the matter had been settled in 1974.
It was moved by Commissioner Perkins, and passed by consensus that the Commission
should study the Scenic Highways Element draft for the present, and that Staff should
provide the following information:
1. Staff should supply the Commission with copies of the Santa Clara
publication referred to by Mrs. Fiksdal.
2. Staff should check with Sacramento on what the response had been from
other communities on the Scenic Highways Element of their reneral Plans.
3. Staff should provide by memo or synopsis information on an article in
Western Highways relating to General Plans as present legislation.
4. Commissioner Lachenbruch noted that there was almost nothing in the General
Plan on paths, noting that Page Mill Road and Moody Road were serious areas
for path safety because they were so heavily used by other vehicular traffic.
NEW BUSINESS:
Commissioner Lachenbruch proposed that the Planning Commission formulate some guide-
lines for people who are resurfacing the Town's roads. He noted that both the character
of the Town and the availability of areas for non -vehicular use were being decided upon
by road resurfacers rather than by Towns people. It was agreed to agenda the item
when the Planning Commission had a lull in its subdivision agenda, considering the
questions of whether a path should be separate from the general travel way,
and formulating guidelines for paving road shoulders and paths.
Commissioner Perkins noted the need to clarify Ordinance 232 so that an occasion
such as Lands of Costello would not be a recurrence. He requested that the City Council
be sent a letter requesting that George Mader and Associates be employed to help
make the Town Ordinances internally consistent. To that end, Commissioner Stewart
appointed Commissioners Perkins, Lachenbruch, and Van Tamelen to study suggested
Lchanges in Ordinance No. 232.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further new or old business, Chairman Stewart adjourned the meeting
at 12:14 P.M.. Respectfully submitted,
Ethel Hopkins, Secretary